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Coming Days Could Dictate Eric Wright’s Future

Last fall by far the most common question Joe fielded from readers and fans was, “When are the Bucs going to sign Stanford Routt? (Sigh)

In recent weeks, easily the most common question Joe fields from readers and fans is, “When are the Bucs going to cut Eric Wright?”

Joe usually responds, “Why, are you planning a party?”

Well, for the people with pitchforks and lit torches marching in front of One Buc Palace demanding the carcass of Wright, Joe has some news. The next two weeks will likely determine if Wright is brought back for another season, or is released to the mob in the streets.

Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune notes that if Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik signs a free agent corner, Wright’s chances of staying with the Bucs is grim. And another move could seal his fate for certain, so Cummings wrights in a Bucs TBO Q&A.

A. I see your point and I think the Bucs may be leaning that way. However, they have to be prudent here. If they can land a starting-caliber CB in free agency that will increase the chances Wright is let go before the draft. If they can land two starting-caliber corners in free agency it’s almost certain Wright will be let go before the draft. But what if the Bucs strike out in their pursuit of free agent corners and don’t cut a deal for Darrelle Revis? Then they may have no choice but to keep Wright around. Wright’s fate will almost certainly be determined by what the Bucs do in free agency and the draft. That’s why it may be a while before his fate is known.

Woody Cummings

Here one thing about keeping Wright. While he has replaced Myron Lewis as the most hated Bucs player (Bucs fans always have to have a player to hate), the Bucs had a winning record the when Wright was available.

Here’s another angle to ponder: Surely Wright’s agent knew Dominik could have jettisoned his client just after the season, voiding the second year of the contract because he was busted popping Adderall. There could be a chance Wright, who on Twitter has professed his desire to remain in Tampa Bay, directed his agent to rework his contract to a very team-friendly deal in order to remain employed.

If Dominik could keep Wright at a very low cost/incentive-laden pact, what’s the harm so long as Dominik continues to stockpile corners both in free agency and the draft?

So it may be a while before you can go out and buy your party hats, favors and kazoos.

What’s the hurry. All of this is Wright’s problem and it is well deserved. What an idiot. The question isn’t whether he is good enough to play for us…its, is he smart enough? I think not.
We have consistantly gotten rid of problem players when we discover they are problems. I don’t Wright will be an exception.

nice post. I agree with most of what your saying. What’s the harm you ask. A) I don’t think he is a Buccaneer Man B) I don’t think he can play 16 games either because of personal issues or health.

One Question with two parts. Is he a good teammate ? Does he fit in well with players, coaches, staff or is a prim a dona douche-bag to people and media? We know he can barely play so those two points are extremely valid if he was a superstar the above would not matter.

I think he made horrible choices. That being said he is the best CB on the roster right now! Therefore unless you can get 2-3 better than him I can’t see cutting him. I don’t believe he is worth what he is paid but you can’t get rid of what you have until something better is unplace.

So the question is when is the drop date that the Bucs can let go of Wright, and have his contract null and void. Is it opening day roster? as with most negotiations every one waits till the last minute.

I think everyone including Joe, the pundits, and the fans are all wrong.

I see Eric Wright going to training camp with the Bucs and if he competes well and wins a job, fine he’s on the team. If not, he gets cut with no money going to him, unless the guaranteed money has to be paid even if he’s cut, which I don’t believe would be the case. Enlighten me on that point if someone knows the particulars.

Obviously the Bucs felt Wright showed something, otherwise, they wouldn’t have signed him to begin with. If he winds up the fourth corner behind a free agent, a high draft pick, and Ronde Barber, the Bucs are still better off then having Myron Lewis on the roster who I’m not sure can cover himself with a blanket, much less an NFL caliber wide receiver.

@jason a
Profootballtalk had a great article answering this, we can cut him the day before week 1 game and owe him nothing. the only issue is if he gets hurt during any offseason event then the bucs owe him his 1 year salary. but i don’t think that it counts against the cap. ( could be wrong on the cap charge though)

Dominik has all the leverage here, so why would he refuse to use it by cutting Wright?

Consider this: the best free agent contracts are given out during the first few days of free agency. The more time goes by before a player becomes available as a free agent the less money he will make. And since the Bucs can wait to cut him all the way up to the day before the regular season starts, they can dwindle his value down to almost nothing compared to what he currently makes.

You think Dominik isn’t aware of this? You think he isn’t using this fact to maximum advantage? If you believe Dominik is a buddy to players behind the scenes, and would refuse to use the fantastic leverage he has in this case, you are naive. I guarantee you he’s smoothly but firmly making the most of this situation for the benefit of the Bucs organization.

Here’s what I believe is happening: Dominik has plans in place for the three possible outcomes he faces vis a vis Eric Wright:

1) The Bucs get ALL the CB’s they covet most both in free agency as well as the draft. Perfect storm for the Bucs and they get their complete wish list fulfilled. With the cupboard full they cut OR TRADE (yes, trade) Wright after the draft. No one has even mentioned the possibility of a trade here. Wright is still considered a young and fairly talented CB and he has trade value. Even a 4th or 5th round pick would help the Bucs.

2) The Bucs only get SOME of the CB’s they covet in free agency and the draft but the cupboard is still not full. They feel Wright still has value to them at this point. They politely imply to Wright’s agent that they are willing to wait all the way to just before the regular season starts before releasing him. The agent realizes this will severely reduce his client’s value and resulting contract. He agrees to restructure Wright’s contract to a much more cap-friendly number and with all the protections the Bucs want.

3) Wright’s agent stubbornly refuses to consider a contract restructure under any circumstances. No team is willing to trade for Wright. The team believes Wright is a continuing liability both on and off the field, with no acceptable remedy in sight. The Bucs wait until deep into free agency, and perhaps even into training camp or even worse until the Fall, to release Wright as a way of getting a little revenge for his attitude and for the way he hurt the organization last year.

I also like the Fall scenario too… why? Because you want to work him in with what we got…see how well he starts the season out… seriously… having Wright as a 3rd CB will not hurt the Bucs. In fact, I’ll be surprised if we can even pull off 2 CBs better than Wright.

Anyone besides me who would love to hear this aderal twin go on air some where and acknowlege his f@&$ up. Joe have you considered getting and interview with Wright? Think a lot of us would love to read/hear it.